Growing into the Serbian jersey has meant embracing the trust placed in him by his coaches and teammates and responding with a commitment to give his best every day.
Being one of the youngest players in the squad could have been daunting. Instead, Kulpinac found himself surrounded by coaches and teammates whose belief in him helped him settle quickly into the senior team.
“Wearing the Serbian jersey for the first time was a huge honour, especially to be in the starting lineup and to be given that opportunity. It meant a lot that the coach and my teammates trusted me. Even though they’re all much older than I am, they believed in me and supported me. The first week went really well,” Kulpinac said.
Settling into the senior team has reinforced one lesson above all else for Kulpinac, as improvement comes from the effort you put in every day, not just when you feel at your best.
“Even on days when you’re not feeling it, when you don’t want to train or you’re lacking motivation, you still have to give 100 per cent. That’s the only way to become the best, keep improving and earn the support of everyone around you. You can’t train or play depending on whether you feel motivated or not. Every single day, you have to give everything you can at that moment,” he said.
Kulpinac believes volleyball offers something different from other sports, and not just because of the action on the court. In his eyes, the community around the game is what makes the experience unique.
“I think the volleyball community, both the players and the fans, is very different from other sports. Volleyball itself stands out because, in my opinion, it’s the most dynamic sport. The same thing never happens twice. I also think the fans make the sport even more special, especially at competitions like this, where the stands are full and the atmosphere is incredible,” he said.
Every generation draws inspiration from the one before it, and Kulpinac is no different. There is one Serbian legend he would still love the opportunity to play alongside.
“I’d probably choose Nikola Grbić, one of, if not the greatest setter of all time. I’d really love the chance to play at least one match or even one training session with him, just to experience what it’s like to have the best setter setting the ball for you,” he said.
The Serbian jersey is no longer something new for Kulpinac, but he continues to approach it with the same gratitude and commitment to give his best every day.
This World Volleyball Day on 7 July, look back on the opportunities that came your way and how you made them count. Share your story on social media using #WorldVolleyballDay.
